A Milestone Class

Town: Dike, Iowa
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Online Transfer Program

Rhandi Oelmann worked as a paraeducator in the Dike-New Hartford Community School District preschool classroom for 14 years — an experience that steadily cemented her love for teaching young children. She knew she wanted a degree in early childhood education, but balancing full-time work and raising three children made returning to school difficult.

When she learned UNI offered an online program, she enrolled immediately. Today she says that, without that program, she wouldn’t have earned her teaching degree.

Now that she’s graduated, her next step is close to home as a preschool teacher in the Hudson Community School District.

“Being part of UNI's 150 years means an incredible amount to me, both personally and as a mother,” Oelmann said. “I am able to show my three children that you are never too old to chase your dreams. It serves as a reminder, for them and for myself, that you don't have to have your entire life figured out by a certain age, despite what society might tell you. Graduating as part of this historic milestone proves that your educational journey can happen exactly when the time is right for you.”

Town: Sumner, Iowa
Degree: Superintendency Advanced Studies Certificate

Ryan Cunningham served as a school principal for 18 years and knew he wanted to finish his career as a superintendent. Because he considers UNI the leader in educator preparation in Iowa, it was the clear choice for completing his superintendent program.

Being part of UNI history is especially meaningful to him.

“UNI is home and has served our family so well for generations,” he said, noting a long line of people in his family who’ve graduated from the university.

For Cunningham, the two-year superintendency program and the ongoing support he received from faculty and cohort members are among his biggest takeaways.

“UNI prepared me to lead from day one,” he said. “I am currently the superintendent at Sumner-Fredericksburg and felt ready because of my UNI experience.”

Cunningham says the degree also prepared him to help lead the creation of a new charter school, Future Frontiers, where he serves as superintendent as well.

Town: Waverly, Iowa
Degree: School Psychology Master of Arts in Education/Educational Specialist

For a number of years, Shivani Pahuja worked as a special education associate in Waverly — an experience that ultimately became a turning point in her career.“Working closely with students with diverse learning and behavioral needs helped me realize how much I wanted to understand child development, learning and mental health in a deeper way,” she said. “That motivation ultimately led me to pursue the school psychology program at UNI.”

As an immigrant building a new life and career in the United States, Pahuja appreciated the strong sense of community and the opportunity to learn through both coursework
and real-world experiences.

“Coming from another country and becoming part of a university with such a long-standing tradition in educator preparation makes me feel proud and grateful,” she added. “It reminds me that education has the power to connect people from different backgrounds through a shared purpose of helping others.”

One thing that especially stood out to her during the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration was learning more about the university's history and legacy in education. “It gave me a greater appreciation for the generations of educators, counselors, and school professionals who came before us,” Pahuja said.

Town: Moline, Illinois
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership (RTNL)

As executive director of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance within UNI's Community Engagement program, Clare Sweeney got to see firsthand the planning that went into all the events celebrating UNI's 150th anniversary, including an opportunity to help host an RTNL reunion during Homecoming.

For Sweeney, being part of the university's celebration is something she will carry with her for the rest of her life, especially as one of many members of her family who have graduated from UNI. 

Next up for Sweeney is a position in the aquatics department at the Two Rivers YMCA in Moline, Illinois.

“Going off into the ‘real world,’ I could not feel more prepared and am excited to show the world what a UNI graduate can do,” she said.

Town: Cascade, Iowa
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

One thing that stood out to Davis Manternach about being part of UNI's 150th celebration was learning more about the university's history and its longstanding commitment to preparing educators.

“It was interesting to see how many traditions and values have remained constant while the university continues to evolve,” he said. “The celebration gave
me a greater appreciation for the impact UNI has had on Iowa and beyond.”

His biggest takeaway from the elementary education program was the importance of relationships.

“Whether it was professors, mentor teachers, classmates or students, the connections I built helped shape me into the educator I am today,” Manternach
said. “I've learned that teaching is about more than academics. It's about creating a supportive environment where students feel valued, capable and inspired to learn.”

This fall, he is doing just that as an elementary teacher at Southdale Elementary in Cedar Falls. “As I begin this next chapter, I will carry with me the lessons, relationships and values I gained during my time here,” he said. “I am proud to be a Panther and proud to be part of 150 years at UNI.”